Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

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Announcement: Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Posted: October 7, 2013

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs is pleased to announce that Dr. Rainier Spencer, Professor of Afro-American Studies, has accepted the position of Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (AVPAA). Dr. Spencer holds a B.A. in Art and Education, an M.A. in Philosophy, and a Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies. He has been at UNLV since 1997 and served as Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for three years and most recently as Senior Advisor to the President since 2012.

As the AVPAA, Dr. Spencer will have oversight and leadership responsibility in the broad areas of academic program development and initiatives related to UNLV's Tier One goals. As a member of the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs' leadership team, he will work closely and collaboratively with university deans, faculty, academic unit staff, and all Vice Presidents and their staffs to implement the University’s mission and goals.

Dr. Spencer states, "I appreciate the mentoring and experience I received as Senior Advisor to the President, and I'm very much looking forward to assisting Dr. Reiber, the Academic Affairs Unit, and the rest of the Provost's Office in moving UNLV toward its Tier One goal."

"I really look forward to working with Rainier and employing his outstanding leadership abilities toward advancing the Tier One goals of the university. Having worked with Rainier for a period of time he is not only an outstanding administrator but a genuinely enthusiastic person and supporter of UNLV." Carl Reiber

Dr. Spencer will begin transitioning immediately; with full transition expected by December 1, 2013. You can reach Dr. Spencer at rainier.spencer@unlv.edu